Separation of Church...and Church?

Today, the Diocese of San Joaquin (the local diocese for the Central Valley of California, which includes where I live) for the Episcopal church, made a historical vote ( 173 to 22), at their annual convention, to separate themselves from the National Episcopal church. Their choice to separate was based on their differences with national Episcopal church on homosexuality, the blessing of same-gender unions, and the ordination of female clergy. The Diocese of San Joaquin will follow in the steps of many South American Episcopal churches that maintain a conservative, fundamental, "traditional" view of the scriptures.

I am in complete utter shock and disappointment in the Diocese of San Joaquin. But I am also reminded that they are victims of misinformation. This is also more disappointing because I was considering attending the Episcopal church here in Merced in hopes that they were more loving and tolerant (as opposed to my Catholic perish). "Forgive them Lord, for they not know what they do."

I am not discouraged though, I am inspired now to do some work and to get some education and dialogue out there. I am making it my personal duty to speak out and to reach out to the Diocese. To sit still would be a sin .

Luckily, I'm working on a show called, "Bursting the Bubble," which will focus on stepping outside of the Christian "bubble" to see real issues that are happening in the world, that many Christians are often blind to because they are often to absorbed in the "Evangelical scene."

I think my next step is to start contacting some clergy. Which I think we will discuss their vision statement: "Bringing all to an ever-expanding knowledge and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ." The word "all" is usually inclusive and their recent actions are rather exclusive.